Suicidality and Antidepressant DrugsAntidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older .In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber .

Oral route(Tablet;Tablet, Extended Release)

Suicidality and Antidepressant DrugsAlthough Zyban(R) is not indicated for treatment of depression, it contains the same active ingredient as the antidepressant medications Wellbutrin(R), Wellbutrin(R) SR, and Wellbutrin XL(R) . Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older. In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber BuPROPion hydrochloride extended-release tablet is not approved for use in pediatric patients .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Aplenzin

Budeprion SR

Budeprion XL

Buproban

Forfivo XL

Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin SR

Wellbutrin XL

Zyban

Available Dosage Forms:

Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR

Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR

Tablet

Tablet, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Antidepressant

Chemical Class: Aminoketone

Uses for Budeprion XL

Bupropion is used to treat depression and to prevent depression in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is sometimes called winter depression. It is also used as part of a support program to help people stop smoking.

Bupropion is sold under different brand names. If you are already taking medicine for depression or to help you stop smoking, discuss this with your doctor before taking bupropion. It is very important that you receive only one prescription at a time for bupropion.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Budeprion XL

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bupropion in the pediatric population. However, children are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than adults when used for treating depression. Use of bupropion to treat depression in children is not recommended. Safety and efficacy of bupropion to help stop smoking have not been established in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bupropion in the elderly. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine and are more likely to have age-related kidney or liver problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving bupropion.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bromopride

Eliglustat

Furazolidone

Iproniazid

Isocarboxazid

Linezolid

Methylene Blue

Moclobemide

Nialamide

Phenelzine

Procarbazine

Rasagiline

Selegiline

Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acetophenazine

Aclidinium

Acrivastine

Alcaftadine

Amantadine

Ambenonium

Amdinocillin

Amdinocillin Pivoxil

Amiloride

Amineptine

Aminophylline

Amitriptyline

Amitriptylinoxide

Amoxapine

Amphetamine

Ampicillin

Anisotropine

Antazoline

Aripiprazole

Astemizole

Atomoxetine

Atropine

Azatadine

Azelastine

Azlocillin

Bacampicillin

Belladonna Alkaloids

Benperidol

Benzphetamine

Bepotastine

Betamethasone

Brexpiprazole

Bromodiphenhydramine

Bromperidol

Brompheniramine

Buclizine

Budesonide

Bupivacaine

Butriptyline

Butylscopolamine

Carbamazepine

Carbenicillin

Carbimazole

Carbinoxamine

Carvedilol

Chlorambucil

Chlorotrianisene

Chlorpheniramine

Chlorphenoxamine

Cimetidine

Cimetropium

Cinnarizine

Citalopram

Clemastine

Clemizole

Clidinium

Clobetasone

Clomipramine

Clopidogrel

Cloxacillin

Clozapine

Codeine

Conjugated Estrogens

Corticotropin

Cortisone

Cosyntropin

Cyclacillin

Cyclizine

Cyclosporine

Cyproheptadine

Danazol

Darifenacin

Deflazacort

Delavirdine

Demecarium

Desipramine

Desonide

Desvenlafaxine

Deutetrabenazine

Dexamethasone

Dexbrompheniramine

Dexchlorpheniramine

Dextroamphetamine

Dextromethorphan

Dibenzepin

Dicloxacillin

Dicyclomine

Dienestrol

Diethylstilbestrol

Dihydrocodeine

Dimenhydrinate

Diphenhydramine

Diphenylpyraline

Distigmine

Donepezil

Dopamine

Dothiepin

Doxepin

Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome

Doxylamine

Droperidol

Duloxetine

Ebastine

Echothiophate

Edrophonium

Efavirenz

Emedastine

Enflurane

Epinastine

Escitalopram

Esterified Estrogens

Estradiol

Estramustine

Estriol

Estrone

Estropipate

Ethinyl Estradiol

Famotidine

Fesoterodine

Flavoxate

Flecainide

Floxacillin

Fludrocortisone

Flunarizine

Flunisolide

Fluoxetine

Fluticasone

Fluvoxamine

Fosphenytoin

Galantamine

Glycopyrrolate

Guanidine

Haloperidol

Hetacillin

Homatropine

Hydrocortisone

Hydroxyzine

Hyoscyamine

Imipramine

Indalpine

Iobenguane I 123

Iobenguane I 131

Isoflurophate

Isoniazid

Isopropamide

Ketamine

Ketotifen

Levocabastine

Levodopa

Levomilnacipran

Lidocaine

Lindane

Lisdexamfetamine

Lofepramine

Lopinavir

Loxapine

Mebeverine

Mebhydrolin

Meclizine

Memantine

Mepenzolate

Mestranol

Metformin

Methamphetamine

Methantheline

Methdilazine

Methenolone

Methicillin

Methimazole

Methixene

Methylphenidate

Methylprednisolone

Methyltestosterone

Metoclopramide

Metronidazole

Mexiletine

Mezlocillin

Milnacipran

Mizolastine

Nafcillin

Nalidixic Acid

Nandrolone

Nebivolol

Nefazodone

Neostigmine

Niaprazine

Nortriptyline

Olopatadine

Ondansetron

Opipramol

Oxacillin

Oxaliplatin

Oxandrolone

Oxatomide

Oxybutynin

Oxymetholone

Paramethasone

Paroxetine

Penicillin G

Penicillin V

Phenindamine

Pheniramine

Phenobarbital

Phenyltoloxamine

Phenytoin

Physostigmine

Pimozide

Pinaverium

Pindolol

Piperacillin

Pirenzepine

Pitolisant

Pivampicillin

Pizotyline

Polyestradiol Phosphate

Prednisolone

Prednisone

Procainamide

Procaine

Promestriene

Promethazine

Propafenone

Propantheline

Propicillin

Propiverine

Propizepine

Propranolol

Protriptyline

Pyrilamine

Quinestrol

Ranitidine

Rimexolone

Risperidone

Ritonavir

Rivastigmine

Scopolamine

Sertraline

Sibutramine

Solifenacin

Stanozolol

Sultamicillin

Tacrine

Terfenadine

Testosterone

Theophylline

Thioridazine

Thiotepa

Thonzylamine

Tibolone

Ticarcillin

Ticlopidine

Timiperone

Tolterodine

Tramadol

Trimeprazine

Trimipramine

Tripelennamine

Triprolidine

Tropicamide

Trospium

Umeclidinium

Valbenazine

Valethamate

Varenicline

Venlafaxine

Vortioxetine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aripiprazole Lauroxil

Digoxin

Isavuconazonium Sulfate

Lofexidine

St John's Wort

Tipranavir

Zolpidem

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Sleeping or anxiety medicine use, if stopped suddenly (eg, alprazolam (Xanax®), lorazepam (Ativan®), temazepam (Restoril®), triazolam (Halcion®))—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Arteriovenous malformation (circulation problem) or

Brain tumor or infection or

Diabetes or

Drug or alcohol abuse or

Head injury, severe or

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or

Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or

Hypoxia (low oxygen in the blood) or

Liver disease, severe

Stroke, history of—May increase the risk of seizures.

Bipolar disorder (type of depression), or risk of or

Glaucoma, angle closure or

Hypertension (high blood pressure) or

Mania or hypomania (type of mental disease), history of or

Psychosis (type of mental disease) or

Schizophrenia (type of mental disease)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Kidney disease or

Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper use of Budeprion XL

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain bupropion. It may not be specific to Budeprion XL. Please read with care.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

You may take this medicine with or without food. But if you have nausea, take the medicine with food.

A part of the extended-release tablet may pass into your stool. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Use of Zyban® tablets:

You may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine.

Set a target date to quit smoking during your second week of treatment.

If you are still having trouble with quitting after using the medicine for at least 7 weeks, talk to your doctor.

If you use a nicotine product (eg, patch) together with Zyban®, do not smoke. Smoking may increase the chance for serious side effects.

If you have trouble sleeping (insomnia), do not take this medicine too close to bedtime.

If you use this medicine to prevent depression with seasonal affective disorder, take it during the autumn season before your symptoms start. Continue using the medicine through the winter season and until early spring.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):

For depression:

Adults—

Aplenzin®: At first, 174 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 522 mg per day.

Forfivo XL®: 450 mg once a day.

Wellbutrin XL®: At first, 150 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 450 mg per day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For seasonal affective disorder:

Adults—

Aplenzin®: At first, 174 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 522 mg per day.

Wellbutrin XL®: At first, 150 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg once a day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (sustained-release tablets):

For depression:

Adults—At first, 150 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg two times per day, taken at least 8 hours apart.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

To quit smoking:

Adults—At first, 150 milligrams (mg) once a day for the first 3 days. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (tablets):

For depression:

Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) two times per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 150 mg three times per day, taken at least 6 hours apart.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking the Wellbutrin XL® extended-release tablet and you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions while using Budeprion XL

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take bupropion with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). Do not start taking bupropion during the 2 weeks after you stop a MAO inhibitor. Wait for 2 weeks after stopping bupropion before you start taking a MAO inhibitor. If you take them together or do not wait 2 weeks, you may have confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or bowel symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine with alcohol or other medicines that affect the central nervous system (CNS). The use of alcohol or other medicines that affect the CNS with bupropion may worsen the side effects of this medicine, such as dizziness, poor concentration, drowsiness, unusual dreams, and trouble with sleeping. Some examples of medicines that affect the CNS are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, medicine for depression, medicine for anxiety, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.

Bupropion may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies, or to become more depressed. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

Drinking alcoholic beverages should be limited or avoided, if possible, with bupropion. This will help prevent seizures.

This medicine may cause some people to have a false sense of wellbeing, or to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy, dizzy, or less alert.

Do not stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This is to decrease the chance of having certain side effects when you stop the medicine, such as agitation, anxiety, dizziness, a feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, headaches, increased sweating, nausea, trembling or shaking, trouble with sleeping or walking, or unusual tiredness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause a change in your appetite or weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Budeprion XL side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Anxiety

dry mouth

hyperventilation

irregular heartbeats

irritability

restlessness

shaking

trouble sleeping

Less common

Buzzing or ringing in the ears

headache (severe)

skin rash, hives, or itching

Rare

Confusion

fainting

false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts

having extreme distrust of people

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

trouble concentrating

Incidence not known

Actions that are out of control

anger

assaulting or attacking others

being aggressive or impulsive

chest pain or discomfort

fast or pounding heartbeat

force

inability to sit still

need to keep moving

sweating

talking, feeling, or acting with excitement

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

loss of consciousness

slow or irregular heartbeat

unusual tiredness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Constipation

decrease in appetite

dizziness

increased sweating

stomach pain

trembling

unusual weight loss

Less common

Blurred vision

change in sense of taste

drowsiness

frequent need to urinate

sore throat

unusual feeling of well-being

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

About

Terms & Privacy

Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, alerts, new drug approvals and more.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 4 May 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 2 June 2020), Wolters Kluwer™ (updated 2 May 2020) and others.